Abington homeowner Jeff McKinnon, a 52-year-old union carpenter, said that when he bought his house several years ago he paid $130 per month in property taxes. Today he pays $500.

“It’s killing me,” he said.

He is among local homeowners who have seen their property taxes increase steadily over the years. Several said recently they feel powerless when it comes to the property tax hikes.

“There’s nothing I can do to change it,” said Teresa Killion, 59, of Brockton.

Marge Barrett, a Stoughton homeowner for five decades, said her Morton Street home isn’t worth the high property taxes she is paying.

“I like living here but don’t think the value of my house is worth more in taxes,” Barrett said. “The cost of everything keeps going up but my paycheck doesn’t go up.”

Joan Smith of Stoughton, an Elm Street homeowner for 16 years, agreed.

“It’s terrible,” said Smith. “I don’t think it’s right. I like Stoughton, but when the tax bill came I was surprised. I mean, what’s next?”

But Brockton homeowner Steve Stern, a retired manufacturer’s representative, said municipalities have to get that money from somewhere and it’s often through higher taxes.

“Unless you’re going to lay off garbage collectors and police and fire, the money must be had in some way or another,” Stern, 60, said. “There is a little bit of an increase but, then again, what hasn’t gone up in the last three years?”

Dorothy Owens, 79 of Abington, works part-time at Trucchi’s Supermarket and collects Social Security benefits.

When she bought her house in 1973, her property tax bill was $900 per year. Today she said she pays $4,000.

“They close two schools ... why are our taxes going up?” Owens said.

Betty Gately, an Abington homeowner who describes herself as “over 60,” said Social Security and pension benefits do not keep up with the ever-increasing taxes.

“My husband and I are both retired, so it’s lousy,” she said.

Mary Turner, 75 and a retired widow from Hanson, said her mortgage payment goes up each year because her property taxes are included.

“Somebody’s got to get some common sense,” Turner said. “My taxes keep going up and I can’t afford them.”

Staff writers Maria Papadopoulos and Jennifer Bray contributed to this report. Joe Markman may be reached at Jmarkman@enterprisenews.com.